Internal Market: Commissioner McCreevy to host high-level conference on postal market reform

On 24 June 2008 Internal Market and Services Commissioner McCreevy will host a high-level conference on postal market reform: “The EU Internal Market for Postal Services – creating it together”. The conference will mark the start of the final and decisive phase of EU postal market reform and is the Commission’s immediate follow-up on the adoption of the new Postal Directive 2008/6/EC earlier this year.

After gradual market opening in recent years, remaining legal monopolies on postal markets are set to be abolished by 31 December 2010. The vision of sustainable and open postal markets with high-quality postal services that contribute effectively to growth, employment and competitiveness can now become a reality. Commissioner McCreevy will deliver a strong message at the conference that creating a sustainable postal internal market is a joint responsibility and that it takes more than the abolishing of the legal monopolies to meet this target. Key-note speakers at the conference include Competition Commissioner Kroes, MEP Ferber, Portuguese Minister Lino and Greek Minister Hatzidakis. All relevant players in the postal sector reaching from Member States to operators will be represented at high level.

Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said: “This is a unique moment. The Third Postal Directive adopted in February has paved the way for the accomplishment of the internal market for postal services. But markets will not automatically open. I am committed to using all means at my disposal to make a competitive and sustainable postal market a reality, with its benefits for businesses and consumers.”

The conference starts at 10.00, in the Centre Borschette, Rue Froissart 36, Brussels. The conference programme is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/post/conference_en.htm